CREATIVE SUCCESS NEWSLETTER NUMBER 25 - July 17, 2002

The Positive Choices Series: C IS FOR COMMITTING

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A Boston publisher, Red Wheel Weiser, who will keep Conari as their
imprint, has purchased my publisher, Conari Press. To order copies of
either of my books, you can use Red Wheel Weiser's toll free number
800-423-7087. I look forward to a positive alliance with them.

The Power of Positive Choices was just cited in Dr. Christiane
Northrup’s July newsletter called Health Wisdom for Women. Christianne
is a pioneer in research on women, health, and well-being, and the
author of the new best seller The Wisdom of Menopause. To subscribe to
her newsletter, you can call 800-804-0935.

The Power of Positive Choices newsletter is taking a vacation in August
so we can work on some new creative projects. See you again in
September.

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POSITIVE CHOICES STEP THIRTEEN: C IS FOR COMMITTING
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What will you say YES to in your life this year and truly commit to?
That C word evokes terror in many as it implies that you really care
about the results. If we commit, the possibility of failure can be
daunting. If we try and fall short, we have to be careful to accept the
results and ourselves. Not all experiments work out the first time. But
if we don’t commit and TRY, we never make any headway.

In my coaching practice, I work with lots of people working on solo or
small group creative projects. The word RISK comes from the Greek and
means, .to sail around a cliff.. When we sail around a cliff we don’t
know for certain what we’ll find. But if we stay home, we don’t
experience anything and may feel like a coward. Creative risk-taking is
exhilarating and can feel most empowering. Opening your own art gallery,
finishing that novel, or finally going back to school in a new field are
all calculated, positive risks. Commitment demands courage for sure and
an inner knowing that you are following the right path for the right
reasons. Commitment combined with completion is a wonderful feeling. The
first step in a process of commitment is making that courageous choice
to set your course on a particular outcome, i.e. spending 2 hours a day
composing that song, or getting a group of people together to write a
film script, forwards the action. The year is half over. What are you
postponing a commitment to?

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CHALLENGE
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You can’t do, be, or have it all at the same time­so choose wisely.

1.) What are all of the commitments that rattle around in your head or
keep showing up on your TO-DO lists, that you need to review? Make a
list.

2.) Choose the commitment that is most important to your heart and soul.

3.) Write out your vision for that commitment and the first 5
action-steps.

4.) Who are your personal cheerleaders who will spur you on when you get
off track?

5.) Select a due date for your project and plan how you will celebrate
your results. If you fail, acknowledge this experiment as the bridge to
your next commitment. Good luck and be kind to yourself.

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GAIL’S UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND MEDIA APPEARANCES
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August 1, 2002 The Power of Positive Choices workshop at 7 PM Boston
Learning Society, Needham, MA CALL 781-453-9800 to register

November 7, 2002 The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women workshop at 7
PM Boston Learning Society, Needham, MA CALL 781-453-9800 to register

Check out American Way, Woman’s Day, Redbook, and Shape magazines this
summer for quotes on positive choices and creativity.

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NEW AND RECOMMENDED
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FINDING A PATH WITH HEART: A Unique Circle for Those in Career/Life
Transition SANTA CRUZ, CA

Marilyn Veltrop, Ph.D., a transformational guide to individuals and
groups, will be starting a five month transition support group with Gary
Merrill on Sept. 9-10. This circle is ideal for people in mid-career who
are yearning for a deeper sense of personal and social meaning in their
work/life and who are seeking the support of others on similar journeys.
It will meet for an initial 2-day session, eight bi-weekly half-day
sessions, and one final day session. Contact Marilyn at 831-464-9813 for
more information.

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SPECIAL OFFER FOR JULY AND AUGUST
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Gearing up for a job/career change? Keep meaning to update or rewrite
your resume but somehow it never gets done? Feeling stuck about whether
or not to do a functional or a chronological resume? For a limited time
only this summer, I will provide resume coaching to you with the
following components:

1.) One 20 minute telephone discussion together to clearly define your
career goals and target markets

2.) A complete resume review by me to develop a job objective, a new
format, fill in the missing components, and highlight your
accomplishments and skills

3.) You will receive a list of steps to complete to transform your
resume from vague and mediocre to outstanding

Cost is $250.00 plus your phone charges for the 20 minute call. Services
can be billed to a credit card.

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12 SECRETS GROUPS
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Boston: New group forming with Gail McMeekin in the fall. Watch for news
in the next newsletter.

Tele-classes: Creative Success tele-classes will be available in the
fall for groups and individuals.

IF YOU ARE RUNNING A 12 SECRETS GROUP OR A POSITIVE CHOICES GROUP, LET
US KNOW!

COMMITMENTS ARE POSITIVE CHOICES!

Creatively yours,
Gail McMeekin